LeBron James Surpasses Michael Jordan’s 30-Point Game Record/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan’s record of 562 career 30-point games during the Lakers’ victory over Atlanta. Achieving the milestone in his 22nd season, James credited his admiration for Jordan as inspiration throughout his career.
LeBron’s Record-Breaking Night: Quick Looks
- Historic Achievement: James logged his 563rd career 30-point game, breaking Michael Jordan’s record.
- Memorable Moment: A turnaround jumper with 5:58 left in the game sealed the milestone.
- Longevity: James achieved the record in his 1,523rd game, compared to Jordan’s 1,072 games.
- Acknowledgment: James called the feat “humbling” and credited Jordan for inspiring his basketball journey.
- Additional Records: James also passed Dirk Nowitzki for fourth-most regular-season games played in NBA history.
LeBron James Surpasses Michael Jordan’s 30-Point Game Record
Deep Look
LeBron James made NBA history Friday night, surpassing Michael Jordan’s record of 562 career 30-point games. The achievement came during the Los Angeles Lakers’ dominant 119-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks, cementing James’ place among the league’s all-time greats.
The Record-Breaking Shot
With 5:58 remaining in the game, James hit a signature turnaround jumper to bring his point total to 30, eclipsing Jordan’s mark set in 2003. “It’s very humbling,” James said postgame. “Being mentioned with MJ, arguably the greatest ever, is super cool.”
James, who turned 40 just days ago, achieved the milestone in his 1,523rd career game, spanning 22 seasons. In comparison, Jordan set his record in 1,072 games over 15 seasons.
Reflections on Jordan’s Influence
Growing up in Akron, Ohio, James idolized Jordan and modeled parts of his game after the Chicago Bulls legend. James wears No. 23 in homage to Jordan and credits him as a lifelong inspiration.
When James passed Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in 2019, he described the moment as deeply emotional, calling Jordan “the lightning in a bottle for me.”
Reactions from Teammates and Coaches
In the Lakers’ locker room, the team celebrated James’ milestone. Anthony Davis, a Chicago native, praised James’ longevity and consistent greatness:
“It’s a hell of an accomplishment. He’s probably No. 1 in everything at this point.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick highlighted James’ pivotal scoring stretch late in the game:
“That stretch where he hit two fadeaways and a 3 gave us the cushion we needed and control of the game.”
Mastering the Fadeaway
James’ record-breaking game featured several fadeaway jumpers, a move synonymous with Jordan’s midrange dominance. James reflected on refining his version of the shot, saying:
“(Jordan) was more of a left-shoulder fadeaway guy. I kind of go the opposite way. But it’s about mastering the craft and putting in the work to make it unguardable.”
Adding to an Impressive Legacy
The record adds to a growing list of milestones for James, who became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer last season. He holds records for most consecutive games scoring at least 10 points (1,253 and counting) and has played the most postseason games in league history (287).
James also passed Dirk Nowitzki on Friday for fourth-most regular-season games played, further emphasizing his unparalleled durability.
Longevity and Scoring Excellence
James’ performance against Atlanta followed a 38-point outing against Portland, where he tied Jordan’s 30-point game record. At 40 years old, James is only the third player to score 30 points in an NBA game after turning 40. Jordan achieved the feat four times, Nowitzki once, and James has already done it twice in five days.
What’s Next?
LeBron James continues to defy age and expectations in his record-tying 22nd NBA season. As the Lakers push for playoff contention, James remains a driving force, setting records and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
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